Welcome to the West Hawaii News update from Hawaii News Digest.
Top Story: On Tuesday, the Hilo Medical Center will open a COVID-19 drive through collection area. Samples will be sent away for testing.
Views expressed in this Hawaii News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Content supplied by “West Hawaii Today.”
Accessed on 14 March 2020, 1455 UTC, Post 20419.
Source:
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/category/hawaii-news/
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Drive-through testing on its way
Hilo Medical Center on Tuesday will open a COVID-19 drive-through area to collect samples to be sent away for testing.
Counties struggling with costs of abandoned vehicles
HONOLULU Hawaiis counties have struggled to meet the growing financial burden caused by abandoned vehicles in recent years and are tackling the problem without the Legislature.
Cruise lines voluntarily suspend operations
No cruise ships will anchor in Kailua Bay through mid-April after the industry voluntarily suspended operations Friday amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
‘Alala project looks to the next stage of recovery
When the first group of alala (Hawaiian crow) was released in 2016, researchers and scientists knew that the project would encounter obstacles and challenges. Recovering this iconic Hawaiian species would require dedication, coordination, and adaptation.
A big step up: Konawaena gets fully equipped weight room
Students and athletes at Konawaena High School have a new room to build strong bodies as well as strong minds.
First responders take on COVID
Hawaii Islands first responders have protocols in place and are ready should they come across persons with confirmed or possible COVID-19 in the course of their work.
Ige appoints Peter Kubota to Hawaii Island’s Circuit Court
Gov. David Ige has appointed long-time Hilo attorney Peter Kubota to fill the vacancy left on the 3rd Circuit Court by the retirement of Circuit Judge Greg K. Nakamura in November 2019.
HPA to suspend face-to-face classes following spring break
Hawaii Preparatory Academy announced Friday that all face-to-face classes would be canceled following spring break.
Hawaiian Airlines reducing capacity amid virus outbreak
HONOLULU Hawaiian Airlines said Friday it will cut capacity by 8% to 10% next month and by 15% to 20% in May as demand for air travel drops because of the new coronavirus.
All cruise ship calls suspended amid coronavirus concerns
All cruise ship visits to Kailua-Kona have been canceled for 30 days, the Cruise Line International Association said Friday afternoon.
UH makes ‘hard’ decisions in wake of virus
University of Hawaii President David Lassner on Thursday elaborated on plans for the 10-campus UH system to move to online classes beginning Monday, March 23, the first day of instruction following spring break.
9 care facilities implement no-visitor policies
Hawaii Islands long-term nursing and care facilities have implemented unified no-visitor policies in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
$103M bond issue breezes through council committee
The County Council has nothing but aloha for a $103 million bond measure to raise money for road construction.
Flurry of blows to tourism
The shutdown of a major cruise line in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is salt in the wounds of many struggling tourism-related businesses in Hawaii.
‘I’m just worried’: Continued cruise ship visits have Lt. Gov. concerned about patient surge capacity
While the decision to halt cruise ship visits is out of Lt. Gov. Josh Greens hands, the West Hawaii doctor is worried that neighbor islands may not have the capacity to handle a surge of presumptive positive COVID-19 cases from a vessel making call.
Decision to cancel Merrie Monarch Festival praised
A Kona kumu hula whose halau was set to compete at the 57th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival said he thinks the cancellation of the festival is the best decision for our people, our culture and the safety of everybody.
Hilo man reported missing
Hawaii Island police are searching for a 44-year-old Hilo man who was reported missing.
Upheaval forecast for Hawaii travel industry amid virus
HONOLULU A University of Hawaii economist on Thursday predicted only about half of Hawaiis hotel rooms will be filled with travelers over the next few months if were lucky as the new coronavirus depresses tourism.
Bill proposes state purchase, conserve Maui watershed land
HONOLULU A bill in the state Senate would earmark $4 million to buy land in a Maui watershed for conservation.
Sanctuary: Hawaii had 9 whale, boat collisions last season
HONOLULU There were at least nine collisions between humpback whales and boats last season, a marine sanctuary said.